Manu Ginobili v. Jack Bauer

Given the heroic post season that Manu Ginobili is having for the Spurs, is it time to accept him as a True American (Argentinian) Hero?

What are the qualifications? Well, that depends. There are no cut-and-dried rules, but rather comparisons with other legendary figures. And who better to use as a measuring stick for Manu’s greatness than Jack Bauer, hero of the groundbreaking television show 24?

For six years (days), Bauer has befuddled terrorists and bureaucrats as he’s saved America on his own terms. And for five years (seasons), Ginobili has befuddled coaches, players and fans of other teams with his reckless style of play

Mythical values

Bauer: A post 9-11 Everyman, Bauer symbolizes the difficult decisions facing Americans every day in the dangerous new world in which we live. Also, he bit a guy’s neck to escape from terrorists in the most recent season.

Ginobili: A post-Jordan Everyman, El Contusion will bump into anything and flop from a sneeze if it will help the Spurs win.

Ginobili: Excellent 3-point shooter, excels at assists and steals, can drive to the hole on anyone.

Will to win/Save America from terrorists

Bauer: Will do what it takes. In the first episode of Season 2, he shot and killed a child molester in federal custody and cut off the guy’s head to convince domestic terrorists that he had turned into a rogue agent.

Ginobili: Will do what it takes. Against Utah, couldn’t shoot his way out of a flow-thru tea bag, so he began leaning into people and let the Jazz players beat the crap out of him. Result: Manu went to the free throw line 13 times and helped ice the game.

Reputation among his peers

Bauer: Known throughout the shadowy, global network of terrorists and spies as an international badass.

Ginobili: Know throughout the NBA as a pain in the ass. As Spurs blog “Pounding The Rock” wrote so brilliantly yesterday:

Of course Ginobili gets into every opponent’s head. And despite his reputation, I don’t think it’s because of the flopping (which he continues to tone down while Fisher, Oberto, Horry and Raja Bell carry on the torch) or the fact he’s Argentinian. I think it’s because he NEVER retaliates. He never gets in an opponent’s face. He never delivers a foul with a little bit extra or commits frustration fouls. Denver and Seattle both tried (in 2005) to deter him with frequent flagrant fouls. It didn’t work. Not only did it not slow him, he didn’t react. It’s like he legitimately didn’t give a rat’s ass. Manu Ginobili is totally without outward machismo and it drives NBA players (and opposing fans) crazy. He’s The Sickness.

Commercial endorsements

Bauer: MCI, Verizon Business, Apple Computers

Ginobili: Cable television, cars, Gatorade

Effect on enemies

Bauer: When the job seems impossible, Jack’s the guy who gets it done. He won’t stop. He is so relentless, the terrorists get really mad and kill each other.

Ginobili: When the game seems stagnant, Ginobili is an instant spark off the bench. Check out his 4th quarter against Utah Sunday for the most recent proof. Manu turned a tightly-contested, stinker-of-a-game into a convincing Spurs win that unnerved the Jazz and their crowd so much, they lost control.

Lone wolf qualities

Bauer: Has been doing it his way for six years (days), routinely ignoring his bosses, existing federal law, and the President to get the job done. And he’s always right. By now, many supervisors look the other way when Bauer goes off the grid.

Ginobili: Has been doing it his way for five years (seasons), routinely ignoring Coach Greg Popovich’s instructions and conventional basketball styles to get steals and stops. And he’s always right. By now, Pop just looks the other way when Manu decides to go “Buenos Aires” on the other team.

Unlikely sidekick

Bauer: Chloe

Ginobili: Fab

In the end

Bauer: Always saves the day in the season finale, usually by killing the bad guy.

Ginobili: Usually saves the day in the last quarter (let’s forget Game 7 v. Dallas last year) This post-season, he’s averaging 16.5 points per game. He hasn’t killed anyone … yet.